Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery usually takes place under topical local anaesthetic (no needles!) and involves removal of the natural lens and replacement with an artificial lens. We specialise in minimally invasive intraocular surgery; the procedure is very safe, quick and our patient satisfaction levels and success rates are extremely high.

Bilateral, same-day cataract surgery
Mr Gerard Ainsworth is one of only a few surgeons nationally to offer simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery (where appropriate, replacing cataracts in both eyes at the same time). In our experience this offers patients a number of benefits:

• Improved satisfaction with outcomes
• Faster recovery
• No unequal vision between the two eyes

At Lakeland Vision we offer a range of lens options to suit your lifestyle – Mr Gerard Ainsworth will discuss your needs and help you choose the right option for you:

Standard practice is to implant a lens to focus for distance and so spectacles will still be needed for reading. If you are used to wearing glasses for distance and removing them for reading, we can select an artificial lens to replicate this level of vision.

Alternatively we can select lens power to produce monovision – one eye is focused for distance and the other for reading. This should reduce your dependence on glasses but in our experience some people can find it difficult to adjust to. We therefore recommend discussing a trial with your optician first if you are considering cataract surgery.

Multifocal lenses can also significantly reduce dependence on spectacles, giving similar vision in both eyes.

Any astigmatism present can be corrected at the time of surgery either with carefully placed incisions on the cornea or by using toric lenses. Please note that there is a small additional cost for these special toric lenses.

The cataract surgery process
All consultations and surgery take place locally.

PLEASE NOTE:
As with any surgical procedure, it is important to understand there is a small inherent risk involved. These will be discussed fully with you and may include: haziness of the cornea, infection, under-correction and over-correction. In LASIK there are potential risks to the cut corneal flap including inflammation, infection and dislodgment of the flap.